Dear TWIG Readers,
This week, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth
presented the results of a study that shows that Americans generally like
Germany and the Germans. This is no surprise to those of us in the public
diplomacy business, and the numbers speak for themselves. Forty-eight percent of
Americans have an excellent or good overall impression of Germany and the
Germans. If that sounds lukewarm, consider that only eleven percent said they
had a negative impression of Germany, with 41 percent predictably claiming a
"neutral" impression of Germany. Times are tough, people are busy, and the
Atlantic Ocean, platitudes about our shrinking world notwithstanding, is very
wide. When a larger percentage of people feel warmly toward a foreign nation
than have no opinion at all, relations are good indeed.
David Brown Webteam Germany.info Co-Editor, The Week in Germany In this issue
Top Stories Top StoriesAmericans' Image of Germany Reaches New High
Americans hold Germany and the German people in higher esteem today than at any time since September 2002, according to the results of a survey commissioned by the German Information Center. Tocotronic: Hamburg’s Rocking Language Acrobats on Tour
Not only are Tocotronic lyrics almost exclusively in German, the language of the songs is in part so stilted and old-fashioned that it repeatedly leaves you astonished at how the band nevertheless manages to create compelling pop hymns. Win a Trip to Visit a German University with Deutsche Welle
"Studi-DW", the Deutsche Welle program about studying in Germany, has announced a contest with the chance to win a trip to Germany to visit a University in Bonn or Berlin. Current AffairsGerman Government Ready to Help Chile
The German Government is ready to help Chile, which was struck by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake, with reconstruction aid. Speaking by telephone with Chilean President Bachelet, Chancellor Merkel promised support for Chile beyond emergency aid. Afghanistan Mission Gains Broad Support in Bundestag
The German Bundestag has decided by a wide majority to continue the German Bundeswehr’s participation in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan. Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle heralded the mandate as a new chapter in Germany’s Afghanistan policy. Pittsburgh – A Pillar of Transatlantic Opportunity
The familiar theme of German-American relations took center stage once again on February 22 in the city known for its numerous valuable contributions to the transatlantic relationship: Pittsburgh, host city to last year’s G-20 Summit and the international home to many German businesses, is also under the consular jurisdiction of the German Consulate General in New York. Business, Technology and the EnvironmentMerkel Opens CeBIT, Largest IT Trade Show
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are key drivers of globalization and progress, Chancellor Merkel said at the opening of the world's biggest IT trade show, CeBIT, in Hanover. Digital Industry Looks to CeBIT for Business Boost
The computer industry is hoping that the CeBIT trade show in Hannover this week will give the sector a real shot in the arm. Highlights this year include intelligent networking infrastructures for the home, mobile broadband internet along with navigation and telematic solutions for companies. 2nd German American Energy Conference
Building on the success of the 1st German American Energy Conference in March 2009, organized by the German American Chambers of Commerce and the German Energy Agency GmbH (dena), this event will be taking place once again this year at the House of German Business in Berlin on March 22-23. Culture and LifestyleThe Way to Integration is Through the Stomach
Actor Adnan Maral put on his apron to present Turkish and Bavarian cuisine on the TV station Bayerischer Rundfunk. In an interview, he reports on the Turkish variant of Bavarian meat patties and on why the way to integration is through the stomach. Intermediaries between History and the Present Day – Design Museums in Germany
At first glance design museums seem to be a contradiction in terms, but the discipline of design is now over a hundred years old and boasts a rich history. The German design museum scene includes both public and privately-funded institutions as well as company museums. Carol Kahn Strauss Honored with Erwin Piscator Award for Work in Preserving the Legacy of German-speaking Jewry
Each year, the foundation “Elysium-between two continents” presents its Erwin Piscator Award to individuals whose work reflects the legacy of the humanitarian and politically aware German theatre director. This year’s recipient of the Honorary Erwin Piscator Award 2010 in memory of Maria Ley Piscator was Executive Director of the Leo Baeck Institute (LBI), Carol Kahn Strauss. Trio Enigma in Concert at the German Embassy
During their US tour, the Trio Enigma gave a private concert for guests of Ambassador Scharioth and Ulrike Scharioth in their residence and a second concert, which was open to the public, at the German Embassy. Music selections marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Schumann. Readings: Second Opinions Courtesy of Germany.info
This week, see how the sausage is made (literally), find out what connects Brecht with Sweeney Todd and meet the folks who made the glass case for the bust of Nefertiti. About "The Week in Germany"A Publication of Germany.info and the German Information Center, USAThe articles referred to in this newsletter may contain links to websites that are maintained by third parties. These links are for readers' reference only, and the German Information Center is not responsible, nor shall it be held liable for, the content, services or products provided on these websites. The opinions and material contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the German government.
© 2009 Germany.info unless otherwise noted. |
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